The X-Files, like the conspiracy thrillers of the '70s, worked because there was a general atmosphere of paranoia and mistrust engendered by real-world events. What should be obvious now is that we live in a culture in which a show like The X-Files would flourish once again.

If you hear some young, unschooled person say, "Oh, Dustin Hoffman, he played Ben Stiller's kooky dad", point them towards the other memorable characters that more accurately reflect this performer's invaluable contribution to film.